Sunday, November 10, 2024, TurusenSaha, Oulu
Moving, humorous, filled with touching music and conversations… these are just some of the comments we heard from participants at the Polish Independence Day celebrations in Oulu.
On the occasion of Poland’s most important national holiday, we gathered in the cozy hall of TurusenSaha in Pikisaari, where the evening was hosted by members of the Polish Association in Northern Finland – Agnieszka Sallinen and Arek Ćwiek. Although most of the guests were local members of the Polish community, the event was also attended by Finnish family members, friends, acquaintances, and representatives of other nationalities – all united by a special connection to Poland and a wanted to celebrate together with Poles.
The program for the 2024 Polish Independence Day celebrations included speeches from the chairman of the Association, Mr. Kajetan Żelech-Alatarvas, and, via an online broadcast, a speech by the Consul of the Republic of Poland in Helsinki, Mr. Piotr Furmaniak. As in previous years, the children prepared a moving performance – reciting poems, singing patriotic songs, and presenting musical performances. However, the highlight of the event was a concert by a string quartet, featuring: Romuald Gwardak (violin), Iida Zelenski (violin), Weronika Skowrońska (viola), and Marta Podwysocka (cello), who masterfully performed well-known Polish patriotic songs, touching the hearts of the gathered guests.
The TurusenSaha hall where we gathered was beautifully decorated in white and red – flowers adorned the tables, candles illuminated the room, and the Polish flag proudly hung on the stage. The tables also featured brochures and songbooks in national colors, specially prepared for the occasion. The Polish Association in Northern Finland took care of the catering, provided by Zestii, and, in keeping with tradition, the local Polish community brought homemade dishes to share the tastes of their homeland. Mrs. Anastasia led fantastic themed workshops for children, which added even more joy to the event.
The Polish Independence Day celebrations are a wonderful opportunity to meet, connect generations, and feel the spirit of community. There was a warm and friendly atmosphere among the guests, and the entire event became a celebration not only for Poles but also for all those who feel a connection to our culture.
The Polish Association in Northern Finland would like to express sincere thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland for their financial support of this event, as well as other Polish diaspora initiatives within the “Polonia and Poles Abroad 2024” program. We also thank the city of Oulu for the help and support we receive.
We thank all the participants for attending, as well as the institutions and individuals who were involved in organizing the celebration. It is thanks to you that such events are possible!
The following photos were taken by our volunteer, Marcin Selenta (jr-studio.com)
